Fight is renewed against landfill bid

BALI (Bexhill Against Landfill and Incineration) met recently to discuss Ashdown Brickworks in Turkey Road, which is the only site earmarked for landfill in East Sussex.

Mr Barker helped found BALI in 2002 and pledged at the meeting to "fight shoulder to shoulder with local citizens" on the issue.

Residents fear that because the brickworks is shortly to be considered a strategic location in East Sussex County Council's new Waste Framework Plan, there is a very real threat of the site becoming a rubbish dump.

At the meeting, Mr Barker said he was opposed to the exporting of London waste, pointing out that Bexhill had done more than enough to handle the county's waste and that the site would be inappropriate thanks to it being so close to houses and the new Bexhill High School.

Instead, he proposed the brickworks should be put to recreational use to complement the neighbouring Highwoods, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, which is home to a number of rare fauna and flora.

Nick Hollington, chairman of BALI, said the group was extremely gratified by Mr Barker's support, and hoped it would help sway local councillors to BALI's cause.

He added: "We are fighting on all fronts to stop this potential disaster for our town, not only environmentally but economically.

"Any planned regeneration of the town will suffer and property prices will plummet.

"Thus we have re-engaged our legal consultants to present a renewed case against landfill at Ashdown to East Sussex County Council.

"We have a lot of local supporters but need a political campaign running alongside our efforts.

"We are extremely grateful to Mr Barker for taking such a firm lead on this crucial issue for Bexhill."

A spokesperson for East Sussex County Council said: "Ashdown Brickworks is mentioned in the Waste Local Plan as a potential landfill site, however, we are currently reviewing this and we will be publishing a document for public consultation in October.

"In February, we consulted with people on managing waste in East Sussex and Brighton and Hove until 2026.

"We received a number of responses from local people objecting to the inclusion of Ashdown Brickworks in the plan and we will consider these comments alongside other factors including the availability of other suitable sites.

"The consultation in October will give the local people the opportunity to comment on the strategy."

If you want to find out more about BALI and its campaign, call Nick Hollington on 01424 843046 or Mike Rosner on 01424 845668, or visit the website at nolandfillatbexhill.org.uk